Christ Preaching and Healing (Fragment from the Hundred Guilder Print) by Rembrandt van Rijn; William Baillie is a masterful print executed using etching with drypoint and engraving on laid paper. This particular segment represents a crucial piece of Rembrandt’s monumental original print, often simply referred to as The Hundred Guilder Print, a landmark achievement originally created during the Dutch Golden Age period of 1601 to 1650. The complex technical mastery evident in the delicate line work and rich tonal variations is characteristic of the finest graphic arts produced in the Netherlands during this era.
The subject matter depicts the biblical scene of Christ addressing the masses, focusing on the dynamic interaction between the divine teacher and the impoverished, the sick, and the hopeful. While the original plate was the product of Rembrandt’s peak maturity as an etcher, this specific impression derives from the subsequent reworking and fragmentation carried out by the British printmaker William Baillie. Baillie acquired and often modified or salvaged Rembrandt’s original copper plates after they had passed through several owners and suffered wear or damage. Baillie’s intervention preserved elements of the celebrated composition, allowing for new prints to be struck centuries later.
The technical proficiency uses drypoint to achieve deep, velvety black lines and dense cross-hatching in the shadows, highlighting Rembrandt’s innovative approach to light and atmosphere. Such prints were highly sought after during their time and continued to influence subsequent generations of artists. Classified as a Print, this detailed fragment offers valuable insight into the enduring market for works by the Dutch master etcher. The work demonstrates the lasting cultural value of these 17th-century pieces, many of which today are considered part of the public domain. This specific impression is held within the esteemed collection of the National Gallery of Art.
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